Environmental Charter Schools

Board of Directors' Meeting

By Teleconference/Zoom

Date and Time

Thursday January 26, 2023 at 5:00 PM PST

Location

Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/147466498?pwd=MnB5Vkc4aG41OEZ1dDdtcWoxQjV0dz09
 
OR 
 
Dial-In: (669) 900-6833, Meeting ID: 147 466 498, Passcode: 133043
 
Two-way Teleconference Location: 2625 Manhattan Beach Blvd, Suite 100, Redondo Beach, CA 90278

ECS Board Members                              Term   and    End Date    
Mr. Anthony Jowid, President..................3 years June 30, 2025
Dr. Denise Berger, Secretary...................3 years  June 30, 2023
Ms. Zena Fong........................................2 year June 30, 2023
Ms. Jenina Ramirez.................................3 years June 30, 2024
Dr. Madhu Chatwani................................3 years June 30, 2023
Mr. Kennedy Hilario.................................3 years June 30, 2023

Dr. Betsy Hamilton.................................3 years June 30, 2025
Lawndale Elementary School District Representative, Rotating Position      

ECS Staff   
Ms. Farnaz Golshani-Flechner, Superintendent
Ms. Danielle Kelsick, Deputy Superintendent of Instruction
Ms. Alison Diaz, Director of Growth and Sustainability (Facilities)

Ms. Tracy Bondi, Director of Finance

Mr. Jeremiah David, Director of Compliance and Operations

Ms. Sarah Jamieson, Director of Human Resources

Mr. Michael Martucci, Director of Student Services

Ms. Jen Fenton, Director of Health and Safety
Ms. Lucia Bañuelos, Principal at ECHS-Lawndale
Dr. Geneva Matthews, Principal at ECMS-Inglewood
Mr. Dave Trejo, Principal at ECMS-Gardena
Dr. Cindy Guardado, Principal at ECHS-Gardena  

Mission:

Reimagine public education in low-income communities of color to prepare conscious, critical thinkers who are equipped to graduate from college and create a more equitable and sustainable world.

Values:

JUSTICE - We examine bias, racism, and prejudice. We deliver culturally-responsive curricula. We succeed when students’ race and class cease to predict their level of achievement.

COMMUNITY - We care. We collaborate. We respect the rights and voices of our stakeholders.

CURIOSITY - We question. We explore. We innovate.

SUSTAINABILITY - We think globally and act locally. We adapt. We encourage systems thinking to create a sustainable future.

LEADERSHIP - We listen. We think critically. We advocate. We shift public discourse. We are our own superheroes.

THE ORDER OF BUSINESS MAY BE CHANGED WITHOUT NOTICE
Notice is hereby given that the order of consideration of matters on this agenda may be changed without prior notice.

PUBLIC SPEAKERS AT BOARD MEETINGS
Notice is hereby given that consistent with the requirements of the Ralph M. Brown Act, special presentations not mentioned in the agenda may be made at this meeting.  However, any such presentation will be for information only. The public should be aware that the Board is unable by law to deliberate or take action on items raised during the Presentations from the Floor section.

Environmental Charter Schools recognizes that it benefits greatly from public input and perspective. Individuals are invited to address the Board on any topic or subject matter that falls within the Environmental Charter School's purview. Speakers may sign up in person immediately prior to the beginning of the Board meeting by turning in a Speaker Form (available at the check-in table in English and Spanish).

Should a member of the public wish to speak on matters not listed on the agenda, they may speak during the Presentations from the Floor section of the agenda. Speakers will be given a maximum of three (3) minutes each to address the Board (non-English speakers utilizing translators will be given a maximum of six (6) minutes each). Please note that the Board allows a maximum of 10 minutes to each subject as determined by the Board's presiding officer.

Should a member of the public wish to speak on matters listed on the agenda, they may speak during the Presentations from the Floor section of the agenda. Speakers will be given a maximum of five (5) minutes each to address the Board (non-English speakers utilizing translators will be given a maximum of ten (10) minutes each).

The public should be aware that the Board is unable by law to deliberate or take action on items raised during the Presentations from the Floor section.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION WILL BE PROVIDED FOR ANY INDIVIDUAL WITH A DISABILITY
Pursuant to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, any individual with a disability who requires reasonable accommodation to attend or participate in this meeting of the Governing Board may request assistance by contacting ECS at (310) 214-3408, option 5.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
For more information concerning this agenda or for materials relating to this meeting, please contact ECS at (310) 214-3408, option 5. Previous board meeting minutes may be viewed on the Board On Track public portal website at https://app2.boardontrack.com/public/3tHo3u/home.

Agenda

Section Number Topic Number Details Purpose Presenter Time
I. Opening Items 5:00 PM
 
Opening Items
 
  A. Record attendance and guests   Anthony Jowid 1 m
   

 

 
  B. Call the Meeting to Order   Anthony Jowid 1 m
  C. Approve the agenda Vote Anthony Jowid 1 m
     
II. Presentations from the Floor 5:03 PM
  A. Presentations from the floor on non-agenda Items FYI
   
Should a member of the public wish to speak on matters not listed on the agenda, they may speak during the Presentations from the Floor section of the agenda. Speakers will be given a maximum of three (3) minutes each to address the Board (non-English speakers utilizing translators will be given a maximum of six (6) minutes each).
 
  B. Presentations from the floor on agenda items FYI
   
Should a member of the public wish to speak on matters listed on the agenda, they may speak during the Presentations from the Floor section of the agenda. Speakers will be given a maximum of five (5) minutes each to address the Board (non-English speakers utilizing translators will be given a maximum of ten (10) minutes each).
 
III. Discussion Items / Updates 5:03 PM
  A. Opener Discuss Farnaz Golshani-Flechner 10 m
  B. Action item: elect prospective board member(s) to ECS Board Vote Prospective board member(s) 5 m
   
 
  C. ECHS principals update FYI ECHS principals 14 m
   
  • ECHS-Gardena
  • ECHS-Lawndale
 
  D. EdTec financial update FYI Dorothy Lee 10 m
     
  E. Board member donations FYI Farnaz Golshani-Flechner 5 m
   
  • Goal: 100% of board members to make a meaningful donation by end of 2023
 
IV. Study Session 5:47 PM
  A. Charter renewal planning conversation Discuss All attendees 45 m
V. Public Hearing 6:32 PM
  A. Public Comment: Revised ECS - Safe Return to In Person Instruction and Continuity of Services Plan FYI Farnaz Golshani-Flechner & Jen Fenton
   

 

Background: To align with evolving public health directives and guidelines, revisions to this COVID safety plan are made and included in the board agenda for public comment and board approval several times each year.

 
VI. Consent Items A-P 6:32 PM
  A. Approve Board Resolution 2022-2023 #4 - Authorizing Remote Board Meetings Vote Jeremiah David 3 m
     
  B. Approve 12/8/2022 board meeting minutes Approve Minutes Jeremiah David
     
     
  C. Approve 1/17/2023 Governance Committee meeting minutes Approve Minutes Jeremiah David
     
     
  D. Approve 1/19/2023 Audit Committee meeting minutes Approve Minutes Jeremiah David
     
     
  E. Approve 1/20/2023 Finance Committee meeting minutes Approve Minutes Jeremiah David
     
     
  F. Approve private donations over $1,000 as recommended by Finance Committee Vote Farnaz Golshani-Flechner
     
  G. Approve check registers and credit card statements as recommended by Finance Committee Vote Tracy Bondi
   

ECS management certification: ECS management attests to having reviewed and approved the individual line items on the attached check registers and credit card statements in accordance with current ECS Financial Policies.

 

 
  H. Approve contracts Vote Jeremiah David
   

 

As recommended by Finance Committee

 

 
  I. Approve revised Lawndale Properties LLC Lease Agreement as recommended by Finance Committee Vote Alison Diaz
   
 
  J. Approve revised Yukon LLC Sublease Agreement Amendment as recommended by Finance Committee Vote Alison Diaz
   
 
  K. Approve School Plans for Student Achievement for ECHSL, ECMSG, ECMSI, ECHSG Vote Jeremiah David
     
  L. Approve School Accountability Report Cards (SARCs) for ECHSL, ECMSG, ECMSI, ECHSG Vote Jeremiah David
     
  M. Approve sale or disposal of ECS e-waste (surplus technology equipment) Vote Jeremiah David
   
 
  N. Approve California Energy Commission’s CalSHAPE Program Board Resolution for ventilation program funding at ECHS-G Vote Alison Diaz
   

Program description:

The California Schools Healthy Air, Plumbing, and Efficiency Program (CalSHAPE) provides funding to fund the assessment, maintenance, and repair of ventilation systems, installation of carbon dioxide monitors, and replacement of noncompliant plumbing fixtures and appliances.

 

ECS has been awarded funding for ECHS-G. The corresponding ventilation program grant agreement and board resolution to accept the funding are enclosed below:

 

 
  O. Approve revised ECS - Safe Return to In Person Instruction and Continuity of Services Plan Vote Farnaz Golshani-Flechner & Jen Fenton
   
  • Attached in previous agenda item V.A
 
  P. Elect Dr. Betsy Hamilton as board vice president Vote Farnaz Golshani-Flechner & Jeremiah David
   

To fill current board vice president vacancy, elect board officer as follows:

 

  • Dr. Betsy Hamilton as board vice president
 
VII. Action Item 6:35 PM
  A. Approve FY21/22 Audit Report as Recommended by Audit Committee Vote Farnaz Golshani-Flechner 3 m
   
 
VIII. Upcoming Dates/Announcements 6:38 PM
  A. Next ECS Board Meeting FYI Farnaz Golshani-Flechner 1 m
   
  • March 23, 2023 at 5pm (in-person board meeting)
 
  B. Next ECS Committee Meetings FYI Farnaz Golshani-Flechner 1 m
   
  • Finance Committee - March 17, 2023 at 8:30am
  • Facilities Committee - April 26, 2023 at 4:30pm
  • Governance Committee - June 6, 2023 at 10:30am
 
  C. Appreciations Discuss All Attendees 2 m
IX. Closing Items 6:42 PM
  A. Adjourn Meeting Vote Anthony Jowid 1 m